waysoftheearth wrote: Soval posts Beranger by the entrance-way, and then instructs Celglin and Dalain to follow after him as he hastily passes through Hollin Gate.

Half a dozen paces inside, Soval immediately notes the quickening dark all about him. There is a great stair rising up and up ahead of him, but the sunlight scarcely reaches far enough for him to ascend.

Littered about the stair are the bodies of many fallen warriors of old.

calithena wrote: Soval pauses, and as quickly as he can produces a lantern and lights it. (Switching to sword and lantern in hand.)

"Good Celglin," he asks as he works, "do your elf-kind senses make the tunnel clear, or blocked? Even my man-ears can tell there is battle ahead, and I would fain order reinforcements forward hard and fast, were I sure we would not lead to the death of our compatriots by blocking their path."

Unless Soval hears footsteps coming his way, or is told by Celglin that there is a likelihood that others are coming their way already, Soval will call back: "Our brothers are embattled! Come quickly, lest they fall to some black-hearted monster of the depths!"

And with that he will press forward with sword and lantern and as many men as he can muster to aid his fellows.

waysoftheearth wrote: The camp is alive with activity now; all those capable fighters have hastily put on their mail, taken up shields and arms, and readied themselves for whatever threat might come spilling from Hollin Gate.

waysoftheearth wrote: Norin the Dwarf's head emerges from Hollin Gate for a moment:

ehiker133 wrote:"Ymir! Prepare a healing brew! We have a wounded dwarf in here!"

Evidently the scouting party are returned proper, with at least one wounded.

As it would happen, Ymir the Dwarven physician was already making preparations for some earthy Dwarf tea, and now upon his master's call he hastens about his task, establishing a small camp-fire from a bundle of dry Holly tree twigs and branches, and then placing a small iron kettle-pot over the flames.

"Bring the patient hither," he mutters to Burmon the Dwarf porter, "If he can safely be moved."

Burmon grunts as he lifts himself off the ground and trudges toward the Hollin Gate suspiciously. However, by now almost half the company are milling just inside the door, so the Dwarf figures it can't be too dangerous, surely?

Sili hoiks his thumb in the general direction of Hollin Gate as he gingerly sits himself down and then allows Ymir to peel back his mail and tisk over his scratches and grazes.

"Found ourselves a couple of good bruises, by the look," mutters Ymir, hardly seeming to notice that they are connected to Sili. The physician swabs the swelling grazes down with a cold salve from his supplies, and then returns to his brew of scalding water, herbs and a few drops of herbaceous oils...

waysoftheearth wrote: Before Ymir has his water boiled and his steamy brew concocted, Hepti and Vestri the Dwarves have their packs slung onto their back and have a torch each in hand, ready to be lit.

Though they are stout Dwarves each of them, they look none too eager to be hiking into the jaws of Moria.

"What was... in there?" asks Hepti, the younger of the pair, with an edge of nerves on his normally gruff voice.